Quality Interconnects from QED

Over many years the debate on quality cables and their impact on sound quality has been going on amongst manufacturers, hifi enthusiasts etc.

How much of an improvement cables make is down to a few factors in my opinion. The hifi equipment must be of a reasonably good to very good standard and you will have to know what your system sounds like before you could really hear differences between one good cable and another.

What most people will notice though is the difference between a cheap wire , and a quality cable. Particularly in the field of speaker wires.  However, also the interconnecting cable between an amplifier, and a source such as a CD player, Tuner, Network streamer or Turntable can make a difference, particularly when compared to the often very cheap RCA cables included with a lot of gear. Great to get you going, but that's all.

So with that in mind I recently bought a set of QED Performance Audio Graphite Interconnects, to replace an older cable between my trusty CD player, and my amplifier.   I chose the 0.6M length version, retailing for 24.95 GBP.
The cables are well packaged and very well made with a nice good looking 'Graphite' finish and gold plated contact areas.
Did I notice a difference?  Well, to be honest , yes I did! It wasn't day and night, but then my current HiFi is hardly the top of the range.  I currently play CD's from a Marantz CD6003, feeding an Arcam A85 amplifier, into KEF Q1 speakers.   All these components are a few years old but I know what they sound like, and they work in my current listening room.
I am looking to change the speakers next , but taking my time.  Anyway, back to the interconnects.
I noticed that compared to the older cable, I had an improvement in bass, which appeared tighter and better timed, as well as details in the higher registers, edges of cymbals, percussion instruments, and room ambience all seemed to be easier to pick up.  Some of these elements were not night and day, and I'd say the biggest improvement in my case was the firming up of the lower registers.

I would however say not to go over board. Keep everything in balance. A pair of 25GBP cables is well worth it for equipment such as mine, but paying a ten fold of that, would be silly, unless your other components are of a similar standard. Even then, I don't think you get a ten fold improvement.

In short, these QED Performance Audio Graphite Interconnects are well worth the investment.

For more information and others in the range visit:  http://www.qed.co.uk

Vangelis Rosetta

It has been some time, but Vangelis today released his latest album, Rosetta.
Inspired by the ESA mission of the similar name, to launch a spacecraft to a comet and attempt to land on it is the theme of this album. An artist impression of the comet is used as the album art.

From the opening notes of this album first track called 'Origins' it is clear that this is a triumphant return of Vangelis as I grew up with. Themes, soundscapes, melodies, and atmosphere all echo that of some classic albums such as Antarctica, Direct, Spiral and others are woven through out this album. I was transported back a few decades my memories of these by the second track 'Star stuff'.
The production of the album is as we are used to from Vangelis. Sparkling high notes, supported by layers and textures and Cello like bass that reaches quite deep at times.  This album will also be able to give any hifi system a decent workout! A very good test will be the track Perhelion, a dramatic piece with pulsing synthesisers and percussive drama!

The album's overall character is quite bombastic at times and is perhaps not the best choice if you want to relax. If you want to be entertained, I'd recommend giving this a listen, preferably through a decent HiFi of course!

WELCOME

SONIC SEDUCTIONS , is a new blog on which I will share with you my journey through music enjoyment , through the use of  'affordable' hifi equipment.
Expect album reviews, equipment reviews, as well as my personal experiences.

If you're a manufacturer of Hifi Equipment, or record label/independent recording artist I invite you to submit your CD's and/or equipment in for review.
Equipment will be returned where required, CD's etc will not.

Send me a pm with your requirements.